26 Mobile Apps to Improve Your Business and Networking

Have you been spending more of your mobile time using smartphone apps than browsing the web?

Suffice it to say, you’re not alone.

There are more than a million apps available and according to Sunil Gupta,”Users spend on average, 82% of their mobile minutes with apps and just 18% with web browsers.”

In this article, you’ll find apps to consider using to help you with your business and social activities.

Due to the enormous number of apps to choose from, I focused on apps that are convenient and provide social value.

Note: For consistency, all screenshots were taken from iTunes app store. I also looked for apps available on both iPhone and Android—and if not identical products on both platforms, another one with similar functionality would be available (see #3 for example).

Here are 26 apps, an A-Z guide to help you conduct business and network while on the go.

#1: Adobe Reader

Do you need to work on PDF docs on the go?

Adobe Reader offers features to view PDF documents, store and access documents in the cloud with Acrobat.com, navigate through PDF content, annotate and comment on PDF documents, fill out forms, organize documents, electronically sign and print and share.

#10: Job Search

Searching for a new job can be time-consuming and stressful. Using an app during a job search will help make the most of your time.

With the Job Search app you get access to information from company websites, recruitment agencies and job boards in the USA, Canada, UK, Ireland, India, South Africa, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore and Australia.

#11: Kindle

You don’t need a dedicated e-reader to take advantage of reading on the go. With the Kindle app, you can stay up to date with books, eBooks, magazines and newspapers right on your smartphone.

And while there are more reading choices than you’ll ever have time for, if keeping up with social media–related books is of interest, you can certainly do that. iPhone users can search for books within iTunes and Android users can find social media titles on Google Play.

"Being able to read books on the go without actually having to carry them with me is so convenient."

#12: Logo Mania Quiz

Marketers recognize the value of a memorable brand logo. These apps will let you test your skills and make a game of identifying a logo.

If your business is rebranding and reassessing the value of your corporate logo, this may be a fun way to review the strengths of well-known logos. (You can play Angry Birds or Words with Friends later!)

#13: Meetup

Is online time usurping much of your day? There’s still nothing like the face-to-face experience.

The Meetup app will help locate meetups around topics of interest to you including social media, tech, business and entrepreneurship—and of course a range of fitness, hobbies, community, parenting and dog meetups, among others.

"It's nice to see what people are doing in the community and be able to be involved."

#14: Nook

Similar to the features mentioned about Kindle, the Nook reader app will help transform your smartphone into your own library on the go.

There’s still nothing like holding a print book in your hands, but with these apps you’ll never find yourself without something to read when you’re waiting for the bus or train and the unexpected long time in a waiting room.

This may not be the most desirable way to read something like War and Peace, but the convenience and ease will come in handy. Plus both apps will sync with your Kindle or Nook device and let you resume reading where you left off.

#17: QR Reader

Whether you want to scan a QR code (Quick Response Code) or create one, there are a number of apps that will add meaning and destinations (websites, special offers, contact information, etc.) to those ubiquitous codes.

Use the QR Reader to check out how other businesses are using QR codes and see if one makes sense for your business.

#18: (i)Reddit

Reddit describes themselves as the “front page of the Internet.” If you’ve come to rely on Reddit’s news aggregation from countless sites, you’ll be happy with these apps knowing that you never have to leave home (or office) without Reddit again.

#19: Square Register

What will your smartphone do next? Take credit cards?

If you’re headed to a tradeshow, conference or a community event where you’re planning to sell your products, the Square Register app makes it possible to swipe credit cards and have payments delivered to your bank account within 1-2 days.

"I love the convenience w/o the contracts and additional fees that are attached to the traditional credit card machine or merchant services contracts."

#21: UberSocial

UberSocial, previously known as Twidroyd, is a mobile app that enables users to post new tweets, monitor and keep up to date on hashtags, lists and people you follow, while also managing other multiple social accounts all in one place.

"It's always been my most favorite mobile Twitter app because it's so easy to use and has many features."

#25: Yelp

Making a decision about where to eat, shop or play has become more streamlined with mobile apps. Yelp has a very large and loyal following and is definitely worth checking out, especially when you’re in a new city.

It’s also very interesting to see how the places you’ve come to know, within close proximity to work and home, rank within the Yelp community. And, if you’re so inclined, you can add your two cents!

"No matter where we are, local or traveling, I can always find so much more on Yelp."

#26: Zendesk

It seems fitting that the last app on our list would be focused on customer support.

In this article we’ve run the gamut of the sales process; for example, maintaining and engaging contacts, promoting businesses with photos, QR codes, credit card payments, plus more. Managing customer support via mobile phones has also become a necessity.

With Zendesk you can view, update and create new help desk tickets, configure support ticket fields and add comments.

"Very simple to use, giving you peace of mind while you're on the move."

As mentioned above, the average number of apps a person downloads is 40 and only around 15 are used regularly. Finding your core group of apps can be a very personal decision, establishing the kind of information you want and need to be able to access.

26 apps only scratches the surface. Hopefully along the way you’ve discovered some new apps to download and explore.

You may need to look at apps for specific needs. Be sure to check out the other articles related to mobile apps on Social Media Examiner:

Nice list! Although I would like to see Evernote in this list as well; it’s the app I use the most.

Myka Reede

I use PDF Connoiseur for my iPad. There is a free version but I upgraded to the pro version (something like $9.95). It allows me to create PDF’s from documents, website pages and scan from my camera. But what I really love is that I can highlight, annotate, and sign PDF’s. I use it to organize and mark-up my author research and platform notes, such that it is stored and available offline.

deb1221

I’m a big fan of Evernote, too. I had referenced it in an earlier article here on SME, 44 useful mobile apps for social media marketers, so had wanted to give another “E” app a little air time! But thanks for mentioning Evernote here. If’s a terrific app.

Best, Debbie

deb1221

Myka, Thanks for the recommendation. Good to know about and I’m sure others will appreciate the recommendation!

Add Puffin Browser for those of us who are using Mac products like iPad and/or iPhones, so you don’t needAdobe Flash.

Colette

Thank you this is great information!

Meilee Anderson

I was a big fan of Cardmunch but it’s been so slow and glitchy the last two months I’m starting to feel jaded. To answer your question, I’d be extraordinarily sad if Instagram went away. Like the idea of Bump – haven’t tried it. Thanks for the article.

Thanks, a few new ones here. Two of my favorites not listed–Hootsuite, which I’ve found the best for tweeting from multiple accounts on the go, and Insightly, great for project & relationship management.

deb1221

Thanks for reading and your suggestions. Will check out Insightly–for my next apps post Hootsuite was in the 44 Useful Mobile Apps for Social Media Marketers post some time ago, and I agree that it’s very helpful. Best, Debbie

Hi Padmanarayanan, Glad to hear you’ve found the list helpful. Thanks for reading and commenting.

http://www.damienelsing.com/ Damien Elsing

I lost a little faith in this list when i realized it was alphabetical. I just want to know the 26 best apps, not ones that have been chosen because they fit a particular letter of the alphabet…

deb1221

Damien, Thanks for reading and commenting. As always, I appreciate the feedback. Best, Debbie

http://twitter.com/lubibul Lulu Tang

I use Fetchnotes all the time for quick notes and things to remember and the like. It uses #-tags and @-tags to organize/share like twitter, but only with the people you interact with regularly. Way more flexible and simple than other note-taking and to-do apps I’ve used.

Wonderful list. I think all thirty of them makes a whole lot of experiences when installed in your phone. I didnt see google calendar though. I wanna keep track of my events and happenings in one set up for my new phone. Kinda a new to Smartphones, really. But this is great article. I better look these apps in the play store and see if I still have enough space for them in my device. Gotta try all of them. Thanks for this blog post.

Jen Mulholland

use the qr scanner all the time had that one a while but some of these might take a look at thanks especially square Register MMM very handy.

sara

I don’t trust online reviews like Yelp, Amazon and Trip Advisor. I get my reviews from people I choose to follow on Chekplate. I can see where my friends/family/people I care to follow, have gone to eat and what they think of that restaurant. At least I know it’s real and trustworthy.

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